Social media harms need attention for all ages, says N.L. tech writer

Social media harms need attention for all ages, says N.L. tech writer

Journalist Paris Marx says new online harms bill a chance to address issues for everyone

As Ottawa prepares to table a new online harms bill, one Canadian technology writer says the federal government should address broad social media concerns.

Paris Marx is a journalist and host of the podcast, Tech Won't Save Us.

He said too much focus on the age-related elements in the proposed legislation risks a missed opportunity for discussion of online harms more broadly.

Marx said the "devil's in the details," and he's waiting to see what comes forward with the bill.

Possible youth social media ban draws immediate attention in N.L.

The Globe and Mail reported on Monday that Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is prepping a new digital safety bill for introduction in the House of Commons which will include a proposal for a social media ban for children under age 16. The report also said the bill will propose a new digital regulator for Canada, which could potentially address broader issues.

That's something Marx highlighted in his reaction on Tuesday, noting that the idea of a regulator isn't new.

Legislative changes in Australia aimed at helping that country govern online environments introduced an online safety commissioner. The office was essential in working through the details of the youth social media ban introduced there. Commissioner Juliue Inman Grant also works with public complaints and investigations, and deals with codes and standards for industry, attempting to respond where problems are identified.

Marx told CBC News he hopes the federal government is looking at something similar for Canada.

"They would really be looking at the problems of social media platforms, maybe the harms that come of how they operate, how we use them, looking at targeted measures that might try to make them better align with society to reduce the risks to young people, but also to the people of all ages that come from using these platforms," he said.

Earlier this year, the Joint Research Centre for the European Commission delivered a report to European Union lawmakers titled "Fractured Reality," dealing with the digital information space and particularly social media. It warned of platforms having business models that naturally create user silos, fueling an "attention economy."

Asked about a possible ban on social media access for Canadian youth, Newfoundland and Labrador student Emily Thoms, 16, said it might help with student attention in the classroom.

She also said it might help bring students out of their silos, "since a lot of the times social media kind of acts as an echo chamber, so they'll end up just seeing the same things over and over again."

Like Marx, Thoms is waiting to hear more about what the Canadian government will propose. She says there should be consultation with people under 16 years of age before any final decisions are made about a youth social media ban.

The Liberal government previously attempted to move an online harms bill forward in the House of Commons. In 2025, it sparked heated debate around how issues should be tackled. The bill died with the proroguing of Parliament.

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Ashley Fitzpatrick is a reporter with CBC News based in St. John’s.